Card Club Cherishes Tradition Of Fellowship

March 02, 1995|by KATHY LAUER-WILLIAMS, The Morning Call

"They like the kind of people we have," says Thomann. "It's a nice sociable crowd. When anything happens to any of our members we're right there for them and that means a lot. There are a lot of friends, and if someone is in hospital we go to see them."

As the game progresses, after four hands the two winners at each table rotate in opposite directions so everyone is playing with a new partner.

"They go around and get acquainted with everyone," says Thomann.

Members also get together for the club's anniversary party in October, the Christmas party and a picnic in the summer. On the first Saturday of the month, Thomann says they have ice cream as a special treat.

The club uses the $1.50 admission to pay bills and whatever is left is donated to Little League and the city Parks Department which cleans the building.

Although the members are extremely loyal, Petran and Thomann are concerned about the lack of younger members.

"We used to have 29 to 30 tables," says Thomann. "Now we have 12 tables. Back then if you were brought up in a family that played cards, you played cards. We lose members as people get older. What we wish for are more younger members."

Despite the fact that most of the members are senior citizens, the club draws 36 to 48 people four times a week from all over the Lehigh Valley and even New Jersey.

"Last year when it snowed so much people called me asking when are you going to open," says Thomann.

As long as members still want to play, Thomann says the club will go on.

"This is a nice place and we're happy," she says. "We're all attached. I guess we all have cards in our blood."

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Card parties are held at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays at Sell Field one block off of Easton Avenue in Bethlehem. The parties are open to anyone interested in playing pinochle. Admission is $1.50. Refreshments are available.